It All Started With A Shuttle Flight - 19. Chapter 19

Dropping into the command pilot seat as I started running my checks, I waited for Lt. Freiman to confirm our load out and begin her station’s checks. We had time. They were heading out to find us this time, but we would jump out and they would fly the thirty-seven minute trip. My thoughts were drifting as I wondered if Janek could stay with me tonight. I wanted to hold him in my arms again. I sighed softly as I finished my checks.

Fifteen minutes later, we are entering the outer rings of the belt we need to be in. I checked the scans again and fired off one probe towards the center. I smiled as the information I wanted came back as it flew its pre-programmed course.

“Let’s just drop a few drones as I fly across before I dive in.” I said as I was tapping out tracks. I wanted them to follow.

“Sounds good. Are we going to do the sensor ghost waltz?” I nodded as I checked another scan and smiled.

“The Biggest mistake in this training session is coming to a belt I know. We’ll be sitting on the rocks for a while.”

“Possibly. That is why we are using it.” She said. Which made me shrug.

“Could very well be.” I said as I felt the first of the drones launch.

I relaxed as the second and third drones launched before I settled down into the ring itself. Diving deeper at seventy percent on the Main’s as I watched the drones move into position. Careful of their range from us. It felt good to be rocketing around the rocks, although I caught Lt. Freiman gripping the armrests a few times. Once I was in the area I wanted to be in, I dropped us to thirty percent on the Main’s and gently glided through the rocks. The probe had been sent back towards the surface of the ring to keep me informed of the flight coming in. We had them at fifteen kilometers before they entered the asteroids. Lt. Freiman was using one of our drones moving around while producing a signal that would match our signature. Apparently, that was why they entered where they did. I kept watch as I pinged the probe again. The frown must have shown on my face.

“What’s wrong?”

“There are a lot more rogues here than the last time I was here, three months ago.” I said as I opened a Comm to Jerrand.

“What’s up Marc.”

“Was there an event here recently? I’m picking up a lot more rogues than I remember there being here.” Speaking as I highlighted several spots and pushed it to him, waiting as he studied it.

“I see what you mean. I’ll send out a general warning. Nice catch.” I nodded as I heard the call come across the background from his side.

“Strike, strike, strike… losing control of the port Main.” cried out the broken voice.

“Get us on that channel.” I called out as I raised the shields and sent power to the tractor beam. As an afterthought, I tapped the Jump Capacitors to charging status. I localized the fighter, and my heart leaped into my throat. I targeted our probe and marked a spot I wanted it at. “Move the probe. Now.”

“On it.” She said as I had us moving.

“Tighten your harness and warm up the tractor beam. We are rock running.” I said as I brought our power up to eighty percent and gave us a healthy boost of afterburner to get us moving as I pulled away from the rock we were hiding around.

Dropping around another rock as I listened to Lt. Astray and Jerrand walk him through the emergency procedures as I tapped out a fast request for assistance and sent it off. I was lining up on my first of several hops. I shuttered as I heard the yell when he took another hit.

“Jump in…”

“What!” Lt. Freiman blurted out as I tapped the button. Less than a second later, we had moved six kilometers with me, weaving us hard around another set of rocks as I swung across to another heading.

“Jump.” Another five kilometers and I slammed on the landing thrusters as I gave us a stomach wrenching ride over a dust river packed with large rocks. Bringing us back around to another course as I watched the other fighters move to exit the rings. “Jump.” We dropped out seven kilometers in another dense formation as the Main’s howled when I reversed thrust to slow us before I drove the nose straight up.

“Marc. Don’t. Stop Jumping. What are you? Crazy?!” Came from Jerrand across the Comm’s as I lined us up and Jumped again.

“Get ready. Black Serenity has just arrived.” I said as my Uncle Fran had positioned his Battleship, which was launching two Search and Rescue craft. I dropped us back down as I lined up on another jump. They were trying to get Janek to the edge of the asteroid so he could use the eject. Inside the asteroid belt, it would be a death sentence, as he would most likely be smashed into one of the rocks at hyper speeds. I heard his terrified voice as they continued to tell him not to eject until he reached open space, but he was losing more and more control of the fighter. I tapped the button again.

As we appeared, I lit the afterburners and headed up from below Janek. Closing fast. I heard my father’s booming voice call for silence on the line before he spoke next.

“One chance Marc. That’s it.” He said sternly as I concentrated. I knew they could see the status of this ship as I calculated out the intercept point.

I heard the quiet words coming from Janek. My blood went ice cold before I spoke.

“I’m coming Wojact. Maintain course a little longer. You’re going to eject when I command your fighter to do so. Be prepared for that. I’m coming. Fastest.”

“I don’t see you, Marc.”

“I’m coming Janek. My word as an Alexander. Just hold it together a little longer.” I said, as I muted the channel. “Light up the Tractor Beam. He’s in range now. Lock on to the cockpit signal.” I said as we approached. I slowed a little to eighty-four point three percent on the Mains. To cross his path at the exact moment he crosses ours. While tapping in the commands to override his fighter’s systems and eject the cockpit. Those systems, at least, showed green.

“Marc?” I heard the stress in his voice as he fought to hold his course. I tapped off the mute.

“Janek. Listen to my voice, baby.” I said, signaling to Freiman as I made a correction and smiled.

“Eject.” I bellowed as I tapped the key. His fighter flew apart as the cockpit fired straight up at hypervelocity away from it. Our tractor beam reached out and grabbed it just as we blasted past. Yanking it around as I slammed the Main’s into reverse thrust to ease the sudden change of direction on him and slowed us around the next asteroid before moving erratically with him snugged against our belly. I heard the retching, and my face went white.

“Don’t take off your helmet. I’m coming out to get you.” I said as I maneuvered us to a stop. He didn’t respond. I know his cockpit lost atmospheric integrity when it separated from the fighter and with the high g-forces he probably passed out.

“Marc. Take a med cannister for his suit when you go out.” I heard my father say across the Comm. Looking to Lt. Freiman, and she pulled one of her reserves to hand to me. I nodded thanks as I took it.

“Copy. I have one from Freiman.” I said as I popped another two power cells into my armor and grabbed the plasma cutter as I moved to the hatch.

Closing the inner hatch behind me to create an airlock. I cycled it to vacuum before I opened the outer hatch. A step out and two bursts from my armor’s jets had me moving towards the grappled cockpit under the hull. My boots’ magnetic plates grabbed the hull when I planted my feet. When I looked in the canopy, I saw he was slumped over, but still had his helmet on. Thankfully. Tapping out the codes to open the canopy. I grunted indignantly as the telltales were red.

“I need to cut it open.” I barked as Lt. Commander Knippel spoke.

“I’m tagging the cut locations to your armor’s HUD. Cut fast, four centimeters deep and across, then kick it. It should pop right off.” I nodded, then realized he couldn’t see that.

“Copy.” I said, shifting position to my targeted spots.

The plasma cutter flared to life, and I made the six cuts in under twenty seconds before I kicked the canopy, multiple times. Aggravated, I pushed off and used my thrusters for movement and slammed both armored feet, hard, against the position marked Hit Here. Finally, it moved, and I could grab under the coaming and lifted. It flew away with ease as I reached in and grabbed his harness. Smacking the quick release with satisfaction as he floated out of the seat. Fumbling around my waist and pulled the med cannister out. Popping it into his suit reserves as I pulled him free with satisfaction when I saw the telltale signs his personal med-unit was working. Heading for the airlock hatch. In fifteen seconds, I am cycling the airlock and the inner door slid open. Freiman was there pulling him in as I unlatched his helmet. The rank of bile from his retching slammed into both of us as I tore his armor open. Blood was mixed with it as she had already pushed the mask over his nose and mouth for it to clear his airways before it switched to forcing air into his lungs. By this time, I was moving him to the bed and activated the minimal Autodoc facilities we had. I saw the full extent of the damage to his internal organs and my heart leaped into my throat again at the thought I might have killed Janek.

“We need to get him to the ship. Go. I’ll handle this,” Freiman said as she tapped out some orders into the Autodoc.

I jumped forward to the seat and dropped into it. As I started us moving. Dropping the cockpit wreckage as I did.

“Inbound. Need Med Techs.” I said as I locked onto the Black Serenity and started my course.

“Already in the hangar bay, Marc. Is he stable?” I looked up at the screen that would show me the view behind me and Lt. Freiman.

“I suspended his body functions. He needs a full autodoc.” She said.

“We suspended body functions.” Lt. Freiman put Janek in suspended animation until better facilities than ours were available.

“Copy.”

I watched as the rest of the flight headed back to base as we approached the Battleship, with clearance to land, and I could see the medical team waiting with the Autodoc as the Crew Chief was guiding me to it. In less than a minute, they pushed us aside and crowded the interior, taking control of Janek’s body. Removing him from the space as I shut the systems down and followed behind them with Lt. Freiman. Only to be stopped dead in my tracks as I came face to face with my father. And he wasn’t happy. He motioned for her to continue as he turned on me. She abruptly vanished before he spoke.

“I understand your feelings, but that was stupid. You know, as well as I do, how dangerous that was.”

“Yes, Dad.” I replied as I lowered my eyes. “He wouldn’t have made it out of the belt to eject. I did what needed to be done.” He deflated a little before he spoke next.

“I know that he is alive because of you. That you broadcast your use of the command codes was… counterproductive.” He said before he exhaled. “Don’t tell your Mother about that stunt.” As he pulled me into a crushing hug. When we separated, he pulled me around with an arm across my shoulders. “Let’s get you out of that armor, cleaned up, and fed. Then you can go to medical.” He said as we walked off the hangar deck.

During the next few days, I attempted to not bother the medical staff while I hovered near Wojact. Aunt Gloria pushed a tablet in my hand as she sat me down at an attached table and chair combo added to his room. Giving me a list of things to do, including writing up a report on the training of pilots in asteroid belts. Of course, I pushed out constant updates to Uroda and Thorp to keep them apprised of his condition.

* * *

Three days later, I was sitting by the autodoc pod as the Doctor was going over some reports with his charges before he turned to me.

“Marc. Go grab some breakfast. We’ll be waking him in an hour. You should look refreshed and calm when we do.”

“Is he going to be alright?” It’s only the hundredth time I asked since I brought him here.

“He’ll be on light duty for a week, maybe longer, but he should be fine.” He said patiently. Again. “We have repaired all the damage caused by your snatch and grab.” Said the Doctor as he patted my shoulder and pointed his chin towards the door.

“Thank you.” I said as I rose and headed for the main quarters to find Aunt Gloria and Uncle Fran. Dad had already left once the Doctors said Janek would be fine.

A fast shower in the fresher before I joined them for breakfast. Aunt Gloria had me engaged, as Uncle Fran was working on his tablet. He smiled over at me as he finished.

“Wojact and yourself can stay here a few more days before he has to go back to his ship.”

“Thank you both.” I started as I worked out the words I wanted to use. “And thank you for teaching me how to use the drones so effectively. The group had no idea.” They didn’t. I had to explain, via my Link into the training session, how we kept them fooled as to our location as well as how signals bounce around inside the belts. Apparently, the actual training in the belts is a little lacking on certain issues and my father asked me to write up a brief. Which he then used as the starting point to revamp the training.

“You can also teach him the simulations when he is bored with lying around. Keep it light.” I nodded as the smile formed on my face. The simulation training could be run from any authorized tablet. Like mine. “We’ll also put him in your cabin if that is OK with you both.” To which I grinned as I nodded my thanks as I finished eating.

Black Serenity Sickbay

Janek Wojact’s eyes opened slowly as they adjusted to the light level in the room. He looked tired, and he felt it too as he slowly looked around. He went to speak, but his throat was bone dry. A cup appeared in his peripheral vision as his bed moved from lie-flat mode to a 45-degree angle. He turned slightly towards cup and it moved to his mouth, tilting as his lips touched it. Allowing a few ice chips to slide in. It pulled away as he sucked on those, while his eyes found the smiling face that owned the hand that held the cup. Tears formed.

“No baby. No crying.” Said the tender voice.

Janek tried to talk again. Only to be shushed and the cup moved towards his lips again. Just like before, it tilted for him to take some ice chips. This happened a few more times before he could speak hoarsely.

“You could have killed yourself.” Janek whispered.

“I did what needed to be done, regardless of the cost to me personally. Besides. You live and die by your decisions where I come from. I lived and saved you, a person I love, simultaneously.”

“Jumping inside the belts.” Janek countered hoarsely before the cup approached his mouth again. He took more ice as the person just smiled at him. Holding a finger to his lips to demand silence.

“We don’t talk about that or the codes I used to punch you out,” Marc whispered before he leaned over and kissed Janek’s forehead. “Have some more ice and rest Jan. I’ll be here when you awaken and then you are moving to my cabin. If that is all right with you.” The eyes were pleading.

“Thank you, Marc.” Janek said before he took more ice from the cup that Marc always had ready for him.

Marc

Stateroom ANS Black Serenity

Sitting on the couch that faced the viewport as we moved through space. My fingers combed through the head of hair on my lap. Watching Janek’s body that stretched out the length as he worked his way through messages on his tablet. Occasionally, he would hold it up for me to read. I laughed at what Thorp wrote. “Well, Wojact. That special treatment really paid off big time this time. Tell Marc I said hello. See you when you return.” Uroda’s came next. “The prince himself pulled your butt out of the Stars. Live it up Wojact! That’s a dream come true for many, I am sure, will never get to experience. Get well soon.”

“How long do I have?” He asked sadly. Such an emotional creature, my Janek.

“A few more days of rest and light training here.” I paused to let that sink in before continuing. “Training by me and then you go back to your ship.” He nodded as he reached out and took my hand off the sofa back and held it tight.

“You are going to make someone very happy someday when you find them.”

“So are you, Jan.” I whispered as I leaned down and kissed the top of his head.

***

Two days later, he was laughing after one of our training sessions before he moved and wrapped his arms around me. He held me tight, as he knew we were ending again.

“We never had a chance against you in the rocks.” He sighed. “You set the new guidelines for that training, didn’t you?”

“I wrote the basic format brief and my father took it from there. The new training program that is being built, which you have been working on to keep you up with everyone else, is based on that brief.” Laughed lightly, as I could hear Thorp now. “I’m sure they will tease you about your special treatment.” I held him for almost 20 minutes before I allowed him to pull away after another kiss.

Our dinner was private as I order multiple small dishes and we fed each other. Then spent the evening slowly making love. Again. I felt like he was burning the memories into his brain. Before we took a nice long shower, then slept in each other’s arms the entire night.

I packed my gear for my departure after dropping Janek off at the Renown. He was sad throughout breakfast as he waited for our trip to his ship. It wasn’t long before my aunt and uncle were saying their goodbyes and I launched us off the Black Serenity. Grandma Armstrong was eager to have her ship back, too. Which prompted him to be back on his ship to finish his recovery as I headed home.

***

I felt the emotions before Janek called for clearance to land and heard it in his voice when he did. Lining up, I brought us across the threshold to find the bay full of people lined up in ranks. My father stood there among them with two different admirals. As I set us down in the position I was guided to, I watched them before shutting down the systems. It didn’t take long before I had the hatch opened and Janek went out before I did. They clapped and welcomed him as he stood with his flight group while I stepped off. Shockingly enough to the sounds of 100’s of people being called to attention before the call to salute. I stopped and looked at the ranks before I turned to look forwards and saw my father humorously smirking. I rolled my eyes and saluted back before I continued forwards to greet him and everyone else with him.

“Good morning, everyone.” I said as I shook hands before I turned to face my father. “Dad. Do you need a ride home?” Which made him chuckle.

“As a matter of fact, both Admiral Tenisoo and I do. In about an hour. I assume you can occupy yourself until after lunch.” That called for my mischievous grin.

“I believe I can.” To which he nodded a smile as the Captain dismissed everyone and I suddenly found myself surrounded by members of the crew patting my back and pumping my hand in thanks for saving one of their own. Before the flight group pushed Janek to me and escorted us to the training area for a private celebration of Janek’s return. We never made it to the Wardroom, but Dad signaled when they were ready. I found Janek, and I pushed into a side office for a few minutes of privacy as we held each other and kissed. Prior to my departure from the ship.

***

Two jumps later, I was pulling us into the approach lane before being detoured down to the military hangers. I smirked back at my father as I rolled my eyes in only a way a teenager can. I felt the tension building as I moved into the position designated. There was another gathering of marine and naval personnel.

“This gets old after a while.” I said in a deadpan tone.

“You’ll get over it.” My father said as Admiral Tenisoo gave a light chuckle of amusement.

I walked off the ship to being announced aboard and saluted again as I approached the head of the group. Saluting in return before I arrived. Again greeting everyone before turning to my father with one eyebrow raised. Whispering, “I thought we were keeping this quiet.”

“We are not broadcasting how you did it, but that you did. The revised training program is being formed because of what you wrote. So you have a new job for a few weeks as you help Admiral Tenisoo’s people work out the bugs in the program.” Which made me smile at the thought of having fun and making credits at the same time. Almost as good as mining. Just more people involved. “Oh. You get a new medal too.” I rolled my eyes again as he smirked at me.

10 minutes later, I am standing on the platform listening to Admiral Tenisoo speaking of my heroic rescue of a disabled fighter’s pilot from a craft in the asteroid belts during a training exorcise. I smirked at the amount of the story that was left out. Deemed, not for public consumption. A few minutes later it is being placed around my neck and the hand shakes began from everyone on the platform. 30 minutes later, I am moving the ship back to its appropriate hanger, and I may now go home. After I ordered copies of my award in various forms for various forms of dress. The Meritorious Service Medal. Still, at this time and age, medals are awarded. In this case the red ribbon with two white stripes, equal distant from each edge of the ribbon. The bronze disk, engraved with a starfighter inside a five-point star with six sun rays reaching out the top three of the star points. It was decided to never change it because it held meaning. Making the award stand out. Shaking my head as I checked my Link, I found I had a bunch of messages, thanks to the award service being broadcast throughout the fleet. I sighed as I cleaned up after securing my armor in its storage gravtrunk. By the next hour, it will purge and recharged. Ready for use if needed. Answering the only message I wanted to today, and I sent Janek a holo pic of me wearing the Medal around my neck.